Water-soluble, vinyl-pyrrolidone-acrylamide block copolymers

ABSTRACT

Block polymers of the A-B-A type wherein the A block is derived from a water-soluble monomer and the B block is derived from Nvinyl pyrrolidone. The polymers are water soluble and are useful as flocculants.

United States Patent [191 Guilbault Sept. 23, 1975 WATER-SOLUBLE,

VlNYL-PYRROLIDONE-ACRYLAMIDE BLOCK COPOLYMERS [75] Inventor: Lawrence James Guilbault,

McMurray, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Calgon Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa,

3,417,054 12/1968 Merijan et al. ..260/66 Barabas et a1. 260/29.6

Primary Examiner-John C. Bleutge Assistant Examiner-Richard B. Turer Attorney, Agent, or FirmRudolph J. Anderson, Jr.; Harry E. Westlake; Martin L. Katz [5 7 ABSTRACT Block polymers of the A-B-A type wherein the A block is derived from a water-soluble monomer and the B block is derived from N-vinyl pyr'rolidone. The polymers are water soluble and are useful as flocculants.

1 Claim, No Drawings Iovine et a1. 260/901 WATER-SOLUBLE, j! under a nitrogen purge, a solution of 0.123g. ceric am- VlNYL-PYRROLIDONE-ACRYLAMIDE BLOCK V monium nitrate, 2.25 ml 1 N' HNO and 10 ml water COPOLYMERS was added dropwise over a 3-hour' period. The reaction This invention relates to the SYHthCSiS Of novel, solution became very viscgus and around the water-soluble polymeric compositions and to the use of 5 stirrer shaft. After 16 hours at room temperature, the these polymers as flocculants. resulting polymer gel was precipitated into metha'nolin More Particularly, this invention relates to the y a blender. The solid product was isolated, washed with thesis of hovel, watet'solubleipolymetic Compositions methanol and dried in vacuo. The product, obtained in of the yp wherein the A block represents from 86% yield, exhibited an intrinsic viscosity in l N to 100,000 mer units of a water-soluble monomer 10 N No f 3 d|/g The composition f the block poly. and the B block represents from '10 to 5,000 mer units mer, d i d by infrared analysis was 90 mole'p of y Pyttohdohe and to the use of these P y cent acrylamide, 10 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone. metic compositions as flocculahts- The following equation (Guilbault and Brooks, J. Mac- Water-soluble block polymers are disclosed in US. V romoleenlar s i Ch i t ,A7(8), 1581 (i973 3,776,983 and Water-Soluble mixtures of P was employed to calculate the molecular weight of the lyalkeneoxide and polyvinylpyrrolidones are disclosed l id d bl k in U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,310. However, heretofore the polymers of the instant invention have not been known. 6 C s N The ceric ion method taught by US. Pat. No.

2,922,768 and J. Macromolecular Science-Chemistry, Where A 7(8), 1581 (1973) has been found to be a convenient G d.p. of the end blocks means of accomplishing the block copolymer synthesis S d.p. of polyvinylpyrrolidone 3200 of the instant invention. N no. of end blocks per polyvinylpyrrolidone block Suitable water-soluble monomers include dimethyl 2 diallyl ammonium chloride, 3-acrylamido-3-methyl C composition, as mole fraction vinylpyrrolidone butyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, methacryloyloxy- The block polymer structure calculated by this 2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, memethod was:

(Polyacrylzrmidc Y. Polyvinylpyrrolidone '(Polyacrylumide) thacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, me- EXAMPLE 2 thacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammoniym methosulfate,

Z-acrylamido-Z-methyl propane sulfonic acid, acrylic Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Acrylamide) acid and salts thereof, methacrylic acid, 3-acrylamido- 3-methyl butyl dimethylamine, acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide, hydroxymethylated diacetone acrylamide, dimethyl-l-(2-hydroxypropyl) amine methacrylamide, and sodium styrene ,sulfonate. The preferred monomers, however, are 3-acrylamido 40 3-methyl butyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 2- acrylamido-Z-methyl propane sulfonic acid, dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium methosulfate, and acrylamide.

The polymeric compositions of the instant invention are useful as flocculants for the precipitation of many substances from municipal and industrial wastes and may be employed for this purpose, alone or in conjunction with inorganic coagulants. Generally, from 0.1 ppm to 20 ppm of polymer are maintained in the aqueous system being treated.

The invention will be better understood by the folwater. After stirring the contents for an hour under a nitrogen purge, a solution of 0.052 g ceric ammonium nitrate, 0.95 ml 1 N HNO; and 10 ml water was added dropwise over a 3-hour period. The reaction solution became very viscous and wrapped around the stirrer shaft. After 16 hours at room temperature, the resulting polymer gel was precipitated into methanol in a blender. The solid product was isolated, washed with methanol and dried in vacuo. The product, obtained in 90% yield, exhibited an intrinsic viscosity in l N NaNO of 7.5 dl/g. The composition of the block polymer, determined by infrared analysis was 95 mole percent acrylamide, 5 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone.

The block polymer structure, calculated by the lowing examples which illustrate the preparation and method of Example 1 was:

Mol Wt. 1X10" 1X10" effectiveness of representative polymers of this inven- EXAMPLE 3 7 tion- Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Acrylamide) EXAMPLE 1 v A 1 liter, four-neck flask fitted with a mechanical Preparation of Polflvinylpyrrolidone'b'Acrylamide) stirrer, condenser, nitrogen inlet and catalyst addition A 1 liter, four-neck flask fitted with a mechanical tube was charged with 13.33 g acrylamide, 6.95 g stirrer, condenser, nitrogen inlet and catalyst addition p ly(vinylpyrr l d 5 ml tube was charged with 16.00 g. acrylamide, 2.78;g. distilled water. After stirring the contents for an hour poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. 360,000 and 500 ml under a nitrogen purge, a solution of 0.l03 g ceric amdistilled water. After stirring the contents for an hour monium nitrate, 1.88 ml 1 N HNO and 10 ml water A 1 liter, four-neck flask fitted with a mechanical stirrer, condenser, nitrogen inlet and catalyst addition 7 tube was charged with 6.75 g acrylamide, 0.56 g poly(- vinylpyrrolidone),m.w. 360,000 and ml distilled was added dropwise over a 3-hour period. The reaction methanol and dried in vacuo. The product, obtained in solution became very viscous and wrapped around the 54% yield, exhibited an intrinsic viscosity in l N stirrer shaft. After 16 hours at room temperature, the NaNO of 3.5 dl/g. The composition of the block polyresulting polymer gel was precipitated into methanol in mer, determined by infrared analysis was 50 mole pera blender. The solid product was isolated, washed with 5 centacrylamide, 50 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone. methanol and dried in vacuo. The product, obtained in The block polymer structure, calculated by the 85% yield, exhibited an intrinsic viscosity in l N method of Example 1 was:

(Polyucrylamide) (Polyvinylpyrrolidonc) (Polyacrylumide) MOI. Wt. 1.1x-'- 311x10" 1.1 10-'- NaNO of 3.2 dl/g. The composition of the block poly- EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-2-Acrylamido-2-Methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid) mer, determined by infrared analysis was 73 mole percent acrylamide, 27 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone.

The block polymer structure, calculated by the h d of E l 1 This polymer was prepared in a manner analogous to (Polyacrylamidc) Polyvinylpyrrolidone) Polyacrylamide) Mol. Wt. 3.1 10-'- 3.6 l0" 11x10 Extraction experiments demonstrated that the poly- Example 1, using 5.18 g 2-acrylamido-2-methyl provinylpyrrolidone present in the product is incorporated pane sulfonic acid, 8.33 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. into the block polymer structure. A sample (6.22 g) of 360,000 and 100 ml water. The catalyst solution cona 27.9 mole percent vinyl pyrrolidone block polymer tained 0.25 ml 1 N HNO 0.014 g ceric ammonium niwas extracted with refluxing methanol (a good solvent trate and 10 ml water. The product, obtained in 76% for polyvinylpyrrolidone) in a Soxhlet Thimble for 24 25 yield was isolated from the reaction gel by precipitation hours. The extracted sample weighed 6.20 g and anainto acetone. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the lyzed for 27.1 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone. molecular weight of each end block was found to be 1Xl0 and that of the ol (vin l rrolidone) center EXAMPLE 4 block, 3.6Xl0 The bloc lt golym er gontained 24 mole Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Acrylamide) percent anionic monomer units, as measured by infra- A 1 liter, four-neck flask fitted with a mechanical red analysis stirrer, condenser, nitrogen inlet and catalyst addition EXAMPLE 7 tube was charged with 8.88 g acrylamide, 13.88 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone),m.w. =360,000 and 500 ml distilled water. After stirring the contents for an hour under a nitrogen purge, a solution of 0.069 g ceric am- IIIOIllUlTl nitrate, 1.25 ml 1 N HNO3 and 10 ml water This polymer was prepared in a manner analogous to was added dropwise over a 3-hour period. The reaction Example 1, using 15.53 g 2-acrylamido-2-methyl p Solufio" became y Viscous and pp around the 40 pane sulfonic acid, 2.78 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w.

Preparation of 35 Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-2-Acrylamido-Z-Methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid) stirrer shaft. After 16 hours at room temperature, the 360,000 and 100 ml water. The catalyst solution conresulting polymer gel was precipitated into methanol in tained 0.75 ml 1 N HNO 0.041 g ceric ammonium nia blender. The Solid product was isolated, washed with trate and 10 ml water. The product, obtained in 54% methan l and dri d in VaCUO- The P Obtained in yield was isolated from the reaction gel by precipitation 83% yield, exhibited an intrinsic viscosity in l N into acetone. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the NaNO of 3.4 dl/g- The COmP iti H 0f t block poiymolecular weight of each end block was found to be mer, determined by infrared analysis was 56 mole per- 4.8Xl0 and that of the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) center cent acrylamide, 44 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone. block, 3.6Xl0". The block polymer contained 60 mole The block polymer structure, calculated by the percent anionic monomer units, as measured by inframethod of Example 1 was: red analysis.

(Polyacrylamide) (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) (Polyacrylamide) Mol. Wt. 1.4 1o 3.6Xl0-" 1.4 10-' EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Acrylamide) Preparation of A 1 liter, four-neck flask fitted with a mechanical PolVinylpynolidone b 2 Acrylamido 2 Methyl stirrer, condenser, nitrogen inlet and catalyst addition Propane Sulfonic Acid) tube was charged with 5.33 g acrylamide, 19.43 g p y( y py 360,000 and 500 ml 50 This polymer was prepared in a manner analogous to distilled water. After stirring the contents for an hour Example 1, using 10.35 g 2-acrylamido-2-methyl under a nitrogen Purge, a Solution of 0-041 8 ceric pane Sulfonic acid, 5.55 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. mOIlillm nitrate, m1 1 N s and 10 ml Water 360,000 and ml water. The catalyst solution conwas added dropwise over a 3-hour period. The reaction tained 50 1 1 N Q. 27 g ceric ammonium i Solution became y Viscous and pp around the 5 trate and 10 ml water. The product, obtained in 61% stirrer shaft. After 16 hours at room temperature, the yield was isolated from the reaction gel by precipitation resulting polymer gel was precipitated into methanol in into acetone. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the

a blender. The solid product was isolated, washed with molecular weight of each end block was found to be 2.1Xl and that of the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) center block, 3.6X The block polymer contained 39 mole percent anionic monomer units, as measured by infrared analysis.

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Methacryloyloxyethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride This polymer was prepared as in Example 1, using 10.86 g of the cationic monomer, 5.55 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. 360,000 and 100 ml water. The catalyst solution, comprised of 0.50 ml 1 N l-lNO 0.274 g ceric ammonium nitrate and 10 ml water, was added at the beginning of the reaction. The product was obtained in 78% yield by precipitation of the reaction mixture into acetone. The block polymer contained 51 mole percent cationic monomer units, as measured by chloride titration. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the molecular weight of each end block was found to be 3.4X10 and that of the poly( vinylpyrrolidone) center block 3.6X10

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Poly( Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Methacryloyloxyethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride This polymer was prepared as in Example 1, using 16.30 g of the cationic monomer, 2.78 g poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. 360,000 and 100 ml water. The catalyst solution, comprised of 2.5 ml 1 N HNO 1.37 g ceric ammonium nitrate and 10 ml water, was added at the beginning of the reaction. The product was obtained in 63% yield by precipitation of the reaction mixture into acetone. The block polymer contained 80 mole percent cationic monomer units, as measured by chloride titration. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the molecular weight of each end block was found to be 13x10", and that of the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) center block 3.6X10

EXAMPLE 1 1 Preparation of Poly(Vinylpyrrolidone-b-Methacryloyloxyethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride This polymer was prepared as in Example 1, using 5.44 g of the cationic monomer, 8.33 poly(vinylpyrrolidone), m.w. 360,000 and 100 ml water. The catalyst solution, comprised of 0.75 ml 1 N HNO 0.41 l g ceric ammonium nitrate and 10 ml water, was added at the beginning of the reaction. The product was obtained in 89% yield by precipitation of the reaction mixture into acetone. The block polymer contained 20 mole percent cationic monomer units, as measured by chloride titration. Utilizing the equation of Example 1, the molecular weight of each end block was found to be 0.8 10 and that of the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) center block 3.6x10

EXAMPLE 12 The effectiveness of the polymers of the instant invention as aids in liquid/solid separation is illustrated in Table I in which kaolin is gradually added to vigorously stirred water. After it is well dispersed (a few minutes) it is diluted in a calibrated beaker to a kaolin concentration of 20 g/ ml and kept mixed with a magnetic stirrer. After overnight stirring, the pH is measured and maintained at 4.5 i 0.5. 0.10 g of ammonium acetate per 20 g of kaolin is added and the suspension is adjusted to a pH of 6.0 with 1 N NaOH (about 1 2 ml). A three bladed plastic stirrer is then positioned in 500 ml graduated cylinder so that the blades are between the 250 ml and 275 ml mark, and 100 ml of stock suspension is added to 350 ml of water in the 500 ml graduate and stirred at 250 rpm for 30 seconds. 50 ml of diluted polymer solution is added and the stirring continued for 15 seconds. The stirring is then stopped and settling times are recorded from the 450 mark to the 350, 250, and 200 ml marks. An average settling rate (cm/min), based on the 350 and 250 ml times, is then calculated by dividing the number of cm/100 ml for the graduated cylinder by the average settling time per 100 ml and multiplying the result by 60.

Table I Polymer Dosage Kaolin Settling Test 1. A block polymer of the formula A-B-A wherein the A block represents from 10 to 100,000 mer units of acrylamide monomer and the B block represents from 10 to 5,000 ner units of N-vinylpyrrolidone.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIGN PATENT NO. 3, 907, 927 DATED September 23, 1975 |NVENTOR(5) 1 Lawrence James Guilbault It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, Example 1, lines 29 and 30, the block polymer structure should read (Polyacrylamide) (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) (Polyacrylamide) 9 M01. Wt. 1X10 3. 6x10 1x10 Column 2, Example 2, lines 57 and 58, the block polymer structure should read (Polyacrylamide) (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) (Polyacrylamide) M01. Wt. 22x10 3. 6x10 zzx1o Signed and Scaled this wentieth D y f January 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting ()ffit'r Commissioner oj'latents and Trademarks 

1. A BLOCK POLYMER OF THE FORMULA A-B-A WHEREIN THE A BLOCK REPRESENTS FROM 10 TO 100,000 MER UNITS OF ACRYLAMIDE MONOMER AND THE B BLOCK REPRESENTS FROM 10 TO 5,000 NER UNITS OF N-VINYLPYRROLIDONE. 